expiate

American  

[ek-spee-eyt] / ˈɛk spiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

expiated, expiating

1. to atone for; make amends or reparation for.

   to expiate one's crimes.

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expiate British  

/ ˈɛkspɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to atone for or redress (sin or wrongdoing); make amends for

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Other Word Forms

• expiator noun
• unexpiated adjective

Etymology

Origin of expiate

1585–95; < Latin expiātus (past participle of expiāre to atone for, make good), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + piā ( re ) to propitiate ( pious ) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

The Sisters have come a long way, but never strayed from their mission: to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt.

From Los Angeles Times

In this airbrushed history, America expiated its original sin of slavery with the massive bloodletting that was our Civil War.

From Salon

You repeat a trauma continually, until you expiate it.

From The Guardian

Ridding oneself of guilt is often easier than overcoming shame, in part because our society offers many ways to expiate guilt-inducing offenses, including apologizing, paying fines, and serving jail time.

From Scientific American

Most outgoing employers expiate their guilt with reference letters so lavish that they qualify as fiction.

From The New Yorker